From cheap backline cash cows to premium midfield maestros, The Traders are ready to show you the quick path to NAB AFL Fantasy glory. Over the next 30 days, they'll hand pick 30 fit-for-purpose players for your starting AFL Fantasy squad.
In 2013 the Lions struggled for a consistent avenue to goal throughout the middle of the season and coaching staff hoped 'Rocky' would be the answer to their problems.
Fantasy lock-ins: midfielders
- Jared Polec (Port Adelaide)
- Claye Beams (Brisbane Lions)
- Dale Thomas (Carlton)
- Brandon Ellis (Richmond)
- Dayne Beams (Collingwood)
- Jobe Watson (Essendon)
From a Fantasy perspective, the ball magnet that we know and love was, all of a sudden, playing out of the goal-square with little to no delivery from the midfielders.
Obviously this role change went on to have a negative impact on Rockliff’s Fantasy scoring output. After knocking up four 100+ Fantasy scores from the first six games of the season as a midfielder, he dried up in the forward line with a streak of six games of scores below 86 including a nightmare 63 against the Hawks.
During those six weeks Rockliff averaged just 76 points per game, dragging down his 2013 average, and his 2014 Fantasy price.
In round 16, Michael Voss slotted him back into the midfield and Rockliff embraced the opportunity. In the remaining eight games of the season he was on fire, pumping out huge scores of 115, 120, 134, 139, 140 and 144 with his lowest two scores still respectable tallies of 95 and 97.
That gave him an average of 123 during that period which are numbers Fantasy coaches associate with the likes of Dane Swan, Gary Ablett and Steve Johnson.
Rockliff also collected 19 Brownlow Medal votes in that time which almost ensures that new coach Justin Leppitsch will continue to play the vice-captain in his preferred position.
There is an added bonus in the selection of Rockliff - he has the round 10 bye which avoids many of the premium midfield options in prominent Fantasy teams such as the Magpies, Cats, Suns, Tigers, Blues, Dogs and Eagles.
On a negative note, he has lost his DPP status from last year and he will no doubt be the focus of more tagging from opposition teams this year. Although both points are significant, neither should stop Fantasy coaches making my boy Rockliff a priority selection.
LOCKABILITY: 5/5
I must admit, I am biased on this one however I could not bring myself to give Rocky any less than a five. At the end of 2014, there is no reason he won't be in the same bracket as the elite three of Swan, Ablett and Stevie J.
During his first NAB Challenge appearance this year Rockliff did nothing but confirm my confidence with 32 touches and an impressive 130 points in just 70 per cent game time. Do not hesitate to pick Tom 'Lockliff' as an under-priced premium midfielder. See what I did there?
Tomorrow we wrap up our Fantasy team builder series with our final midfielder - a man safe to lock in as your skipper week in, week out.
During his first NAB Challenge appearance this year Rockliff did nothing but confirm my confidence with 32 touches and an impressive 130 points in just 70 per cent game time. Do not hesitate to pick Tom 'Lockliff' as an under-priced premium midfielder. See what I did there?
Tomorrow we wrap up our Fantasy team builder series with our final midfielder - a man safe to lock in as your skipper week in, week out.
The pre-season AFL Record is the complete guide to the new-look NAB AFL Fantasy football competition. AFL Fantasy experts Warnie, Roy and Calvin (aka The Traders) detail everything you need to know about Fantasy football. There are Fantasy prices and profiles of every player. The 124-page pre-season Record is on sale now at newsagents nationally for $9.95.
